Peterborough: Life for Step-Son Murderer

A man has been jailed for life for murdering his five-year-old stepson.

Elvis Lee, 34, has been told he must serve a minimum of 17-and-a-half years for the murder of Tyler Whelan on 7th March last year, by judge Mr Justice Nicol at Cambridge Crown Court today (Tuesday).

He had been convicted of the murder yesterday following a three-week trial.

Lee's partner and Tyler's natural mother, Stephanie Whelan, 27, then of Sheepwalk, Paston, Peterborough, was found guilty of causing or allowing Tyler's death by not doing enough to prevent it. She will be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on 14th June.

Lee and Whelan were both cleared of two counts of cruelty against the five year old.

Lee, of Crabtree, Paston, Peterborough, had admitted manslaughter, saying he had assaulted Tyler by kicking him in the abdomen and biting him on the leg but had not intended to seriously hurt him.

However, following almost 11 hours of deliberations, the jury decided Lee had intended to either kill or seriously harm Tyler and found him guilty of murder.